DuPage Birding Club

Join Dr. Sarah Saunders on the efforts to save Piping Plovers in the Great Lakes.  We all recall the celebrity pair of Piping Plovers here in Chicago at Montrose Beach—Monty and Rose—the first pair of Piping Plovers to successfully nest in Chicagoland for more than 70 years. This presentation will talk about the efforts to bring back Piping Plovers throughout the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes Piping Plover, a federally endangered shorebird, has made a remarkable comeback from the brink of extinction thanks to decades of dedicated conservation efforts. Once reduced to just 12 breeding pairs in the 1980s, this population has now exceeded 80 pairs, with record-breaking breeding seasons in recent years. This success is a testament to the power of science-driven conservation and the collaboration of researchers, land managers, and community volunteers on the Great Lakes Piping Plover Conservation Team.

In this talk, Dr. Saunders will highlight the key strategies that have fueled this recovery, including nest monitoring and protection, predator management, annual banding, captive-rearing, and education and outreach. She will also showcase how long-term banding data have further strengthened these strategies, contributing to population growth. 

Despite these gains, challenges remain, including increasing threats from climate change and human disturbance. Yet the resilience of the population and the dedication of the Conservation Team offer hope for continued success. The recovery of the Great Lakes Piping Plover serves as an inspiring example of how rigorous science, partnerships, and community engagement can drive meaningful conservation outcomes.

This meeting will be both in-person and on Zoom. To register for the Zoom meeting, click here.